Gippsland Australia Day winners named

Nine Gippsland residents have been recognised for their outstanding achievement and service with a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Michael Bourke from Trafalgar, Keith Chenhall from Traralgon, the former mayor of the Morwell City, John Vinall, and James Johnson from Lindenow have all been recognised for service to the community.

Dr James Brown from Trafalgar receives the medal for service to medical education.

Long-time advocate for people with asbestos-related diseases, Vicki Hamilton, from Newborough, has been honoured for her work.

Warragul man Richard Dent has been recognised for service to people with a disability.

Max Wells, from Inverloch, receives the award for his service to surfing, while Alex Pewtress from Cowes has been recognised for his service to cricket.

The Medal of the Order of Australia recognises outstanding achievement and service, with nominations coming from the community.

Vicki Hamilton from the Latrobe Valley has been campaigning for years for help and compensation for people suffering from asbestos-related diseases.

She has also been warning that deaths from asbestos will continue because of home renovations.

She says the work of the Gippsland Asbestos Related Disease (GARDS) group needs to continue.

"Such a surprise and it has been a long, hard road but you know a lot of people have walked that long hard road with me and the families and the people that I've supported and that GARDS have supported along the way, it just makes it all worthwhile," she said.

"It just means that it does count and everything we do counts."

'Diversity'

Meanwhile, new Australians celebrated their first Australia Day as a citizen on the weekend.

Citizenship ceremonies were held across the region for residents to officially become Australian citizens.

Eighteen people in East Gippsland participated in a ceremony at Bairnsdale.

East Gippsland Shire Mayor Mark Reeves says it is an occasion for celebration.

"It's absolutely positive. There's no doubt that diversity brings strength and we absolutely endorse and celebrate diversity in our community," he said.

"Well Australia Day is a fantastic and important symbolic day and these people who are taking the pledge or an affirmation a pledge before God or an affirmation are making a symbolic stance that they wish to be a part of this Australian community in more than just a living here sense."